The Difference

A Tale of Two Vineyards

This is why I do what I am doing. The field on the left is organically grown. The field on the right is not. Can you see a difference, and then, which grapes would you like your wine to be made from?

20 Years in the Making! U. C. Davis Publishes Its First Organic Winegrowing Manual

It only took 20 years, but Monsanto-ridden U.C. Davis has finally published its first organic wine growing manual! Raise your glasses, please!

Author and editor Dr. Glenn McGourty

Authored by a variety of expert contributors, the in-depth volume was edited by U. C. Davis professor and U.C. Ag Extension advisor for Mendocino and Lake Counties, Dr. Glenn McGourty, who, for decades, has been the go-to guy for answers to organic viticulture questions.

The book has extensive coverage of all aspects of organic viticulture and was written for California growers.

Today only about 2% of California's 500,000 acres of vineyards are certified organic, although about another 2-5% may also be practicing organic.

In contrast, France has 10 times the certified organic acreage that California does, with 7% of its vineyards organically certified, and a different wine culture with consumers seeking out these wines. Wine lists in restaurants often list organic and/or biodynamic wine options.

To order a copy of the manual, visit this link.

For more details about the manual, you can visit Wines and Vines to see their coverage.

Mendo Winemakers Gather Friday

Part 3 of the Viticulture Forum: The People and Wine Styles of Mendocino County will take place Friday, May 6, from 11:30 to 5 with local luminaries in attendance. The program looks to be quite special - panels of Mendo's historic grape growers and vintners including Charlie Barra, the history of Italian Swiss Colony in Asti, the introduction of international varietals, the coming of cool region grapes, and green viticulture.